Radical Space and Resistance Movement in Maisuma, Srinagar

Abstract

The paper generally deals with place-making of Maisuma (a densely populated town in Srinagar, J&K) with its own and erstwhile Kashmir political discourse. There was visible rise of modern form of Islam unmatched with its Sui-Generis (Kashmiriyat, a culture which unlikely superior and absorbed every religion) was completely faded. In last three and half decades, the process of radicalization and separate political movements shaped and re-shaped politics of Kashmir. At the same time, Maisuma remained a symbolic and iconic space of resistance movement in Kashmir. For that reason, an attempt has been made to answer the following critical questions- Is Maisuma a radical space? How Maisuma is related to idea of separate politics in whole of Kashmir? Finally, the paper concludes with an argument that the politics of space in Maisuma made it as a terrain of resistance for most of the leaders in Kashmir. The contemporary Maisuma is a symbolic place of resistance politics for leaders of both mainstream and separatists.